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Baby names

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Original poster

Girl name regret

78 replies

KonkeyDonk · 10/02/2022 23:42

Baby is less than 6 months old. After long discussion we registered her at the last moment as Cecilia. I wasn't convinced but DH said I'll get used to it. So far I've only been calling her Cece, which I love, but her full name just sounds so lispy and doesn't suit her Sad!
Will I get used to it or will I forever regret not changing it? My other option was Serena which my DF didn't like so I decided against it. DH thinks I'm silly but it just doesn't feel right. I had a bereavement soon after the birth of the baby and I was not quite myself as well.

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Lucia574 · 11/02/2022 09:06

Cecilia is a beautiful, elegant name! Much better then Serena! It might seem a mouthful for a baby, but lovely for an adult. And you love Cece, so it’s fine!

SpaghettiArmsMurderer · 11/02/2022 09:08

Cecilia is a lovely name! It’s actually on my list if I have a girl. I prefer it to Serena as you have the cute nickname Cece but Serena doesn’t shorten very well.

Original poster
KonkeyDonk · 11/02/2022 09:21

Thing is I don't hate Cecilia, I do like it, it just doesn't feel quite right and it never has.
I'm not sure if it'll grow on me or I'll regret not changing it forever. It just sounds so wrong each time her name is called at the GP Sad.
I think we settled on it as everyone else said it's a nice name, we registered her last minute as I wasn't sure.

My DM died a week after baby was born and she liked this name. She liked Serena too, but my dad didn't and I think I wanted to please him.

DH is not really on board as MIL handmade an item with her name... as soon as we got it I said 'I guess I'm not changing her name now!' and that was 2 months ago!

For all those worried for my mental health, thank you, it's been difficult but I have great support, including a fantastic health visitor who could have been a professional therapist!

OP posts:
Original poster
KonkeyDonk · 11/02/2022 10:34

DH is saying I was the same with DC1 except there was no bereavement and no alternative name... DC1 was called 'baby' for the first year Hmm. Question is, should I just leave it then? What if I regret it forever!

OP posts:
babyjellyfish · 11/02/2022 11:29

It sounds like you're going through a lot, OP.

6 months is still very young (is she your first baby?) and to lose your own mum at the same time as becoming a parent must be an awful lot to have to deal with.

Do you feel strongly that you wish you'd called her Serena, or are you just having more general doubts?

I didn't have any name regret but I gave my son a very normal name with no diminutives and have ended up calling him a whole bunch of nicknames which have very little to do with his actual name. I don't imagine I will still be using them when he is much older because they would be very embarrassing.

Cecilia is a beautiful name for a girl or a woman. I can see how you might not quite think it fits a young baby.

I reckon if you just keep calling her Cece or other nicknames, Cecilia will grow on you by the time she is older. She is lucky to have such a great name.

Shmithecat2 · 11/02/2022 11:32

Another one to chime in, fwiw, Cecilia is a FABULOUS name. I adore it.

Shmithecat2 · 11/02/2022 11:33

To add - I'm still not keen on my ds' name - he's 6yo now Blush

Original poster
KonkeyDonk · 11/02/2022 12:04

Thank you everyone. I think it's probably the fact I'm worried she'll be Cece forever and with Serena there are fewer options.... but considering baby is currently being called Ce-Monkey I might end up coming up with a nickname no matter the name Blush.
I tried calling her Serena and it feels too 'grown up' as well.

OP posts:
babyjellyfish · 11/02/2022 12:20

Of all the thousands of girls' names available, you chose those two. Why? I assume you liked them both.

Ce-Monkey is cute. And a lot less ridiculous than what I call my son!

Original poster
KonkeyDonk · 11/02/2022 12:43

@babyjellyfish

Of all the thousands of girls' names available, you chose those two. Why? I assume you liked them both.

Ce-Monkey is cute. And a lot less ridiculous than what I call my son!

I guess because I liked them both! It just feels suddenly so grown up, but according to DH I was exactly the same with DC1. You do realise you have to share some of your son's nicknames with us Grin
OP posts:
Yika · 11/02/2022 12:46

Just to say that you can change her name even if your MIL made something handmade with her name on. It doesn't negate the gift, and your feelings about the name are important. I don't think you should just force yourself to 'get used to it' if it's really bothering you. If it doesn't feel right and it's jarring every time you hear it, it's not right.

babyjellyfish · 11/02/2022 13:49

Hah, I have sent you a PM because it's potentially a little outing.

Glitterygreen · 11/02/2022 21:39

I love the name Cecilia, it always reminds me of Keira Knightly in Atonement. Very elegant and classic.

I know what you mean about struggling to fit it onto a baby but she will grow into it and it's such a lovely name for life :)

StScholastica · 12/02/2022 00:06

Patron Saint of music. It's a gorgeous name.

Fivebeanchilli · 12/02/2022 00:11

Cece is so lovely.
Fwiw I think Cecilia is miles nicer than Serena.
And it doesn't feel serious to me but a really good name that is lovely for both a baby, child and an adult.

whysoserious123 · 12/02/2022 00:22

Love the name cecillia and cede !

She could be either of the above when she's older or lia or chi chi or just ce !

loads of options

cherrysthename · 12/02/2022 00:29

I know two Ceces. One is 'officially' Sienna and the other Sicily but they only go by Cece so I don't think it really matters.

Hairyfriend · 12/02/2022 00:36

A close friend is Soraya, but throughout childhood known as Sisi Its not always Cecilia with that nn.

groovergirl · 12/02/2022 09:04

An elegant name with an easy nickname -- what could be better to give to your precious baby? Cecilia will grow on you, and your DD will grow into it and announce it with pride.
Cecilia is excellent, and yes, I'm biased, as it's my middle name.

Chickenpoxtwins · 12/02/2022 09:06

If you prefer Serena and your dh is on board then change it. Your DF had a chance to name his children.

romdowa · 12/02/2022 09:11

I think if you don't think it suits her then change it while you can. You'll only regret it if you don't.

EishetChayil · 12/02/2022 09:13

Cecilia is gorgeous.

Serena is a stripper name.

BobbinHood · 12/02/2022 09:15

I don’t think you should change the name of a 6 month old baby - won’t it spark an awkward conversation when you have to explain to every single person you know that your baby now has a different name?

I don’t think Serena “suits” a baby either, they are both quite grown up names. I prefer it to Cecilia but I like Cece better than either for a young child.

FolornLawn · 12/02/2022 09:17

They’re both grown up names, which is GOOD because your daughter will spend the vast majority of her life as a grown up.
I would much prefer to be called Cecilia than Serena. Cece works for a baby, a cool teen and an adult. I think you have chosen well op, and I say that as someone who did change her DD’s name. Smile

SuperSleepyBaby · 12/02/2022 09:19

Both are nice names but if you prefer Serena you can change it. Obviously, your DH would need to agree too.

Changing it might seem like a big deal now but in a few short years it will just be a memory and an interesting story for your DD.

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